Code.org Launches Unlock8 Campaign to Make CS and AI Graduation Requirements
A new campaign, known as Unlock8, has been launched by a coalition of tech leaders and organizations in the United States with the goal of making computer science (CS) and artificial intelligence (AI) mandatory graduation requirements. The initiative is backed by major tech companies and industry leaders, including Microsoft, Meta, and Blue Origin. The campaign emphasizes the growing importance of digital literacy in education and the workforce, arguing that these subjects are essential for the future economy.
The campaign is also supported by a wide array of industry executives, including Steve Ballmer, who is chairman of the Los Angeles Clippers. The campaign builds on a recent Executive Order that makes Kâ12 AI literacy a U.S. priority. Code.org, a well-known nonprofit organization that has long advocated for CS education, has played a leading role in this initiative. The organization described the Executive Order as a “big win for CS & AI education” in its social media post.
The campaign includes an ad that highlights the importance of equipping students with the skills needed to build the future. The ad, which was released by Code.org, features a young narrator speaking about the power of CS and AI. The ad concludes with the message that ‘This isn’t radical. It’s what education is supposed to do. Make computer science and AI a graduation requirement.’
A new website has also been launched by the campaign to gather support, with a letter of endorsement already signed by executives from top tech companies including Microsoft, Dropbox, AMD, Meta, Blue Origin, and Palantir. This effort is expected to gain further traction as the campaign officially kicks off on Monday. The campaign has been met with widespread support from educators and industry leaders, who argue that integrating CS and AI into the standard curriculum will help prepare students for the technology-driven world.